LA Galaxy sign Bruce Arena to multi-year contract extension

CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, February 6, 2014) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena to a multi-year contract extension. Since joining the Galaxy in 2008, Arena has led the Galaxy to three MLS Cup finals, capturing the MLS Cup in 2011 and 2012. Entering his seventh season with the Galaxy, Arena has guided the Galaxy to a 82-46-44 regular season record and a first place finish in the Western Conference in three of the last five seasons, winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2010 and 2011.

“We are very pleased to sign Bruce Arena to a multi-year contract extension,” said Dan Beckerman President and CEO of AEG. “Bruce is one of the finest coaches in the history of soccer in the United States. His commitment to the LA Galaxy, the club’s winning tradition and continued excellence on and off the field is unrivaled. We look forward to the team’s continued success under Bruce’s management.”

The first coach in MLS history to win four MLS Cup titles, Arena has thrice been named the MLS Coach of the Year, including winning it in 2009 and 2011 with the LA Galaxy and for the first time in 1997 as head coach of D.C. United. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Arena completely re-hauled the club’s roster prior to the start of the 2009 season, bringing in 16 new players while helping the Galaxy reach MLS Cup for the first time since 2005.

“I’m honored to remain in this role with the preeminent soccer club in the United States,” said Arena. “I appreciate the continued support and confidence from Mr. Anschutz, Mr. Beckerman, Chris Klein and my staff and players as we head into the 2014 season.”

The all-time leader in wins amongst coaches in U.S. National Team history, Arena led the U.S. to the FIFA World Cup twice, including an historic quarterfinal berth in 2002 in Japan/Korea. Arena took over as head coach in November 1998 and was in charge for nearly eight years, collecting a 71-30-29 all-time record, while leading the U.S. to the CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2002 and 2005, the 2000 Nike U.S. Cup championship, as well as a third place finish in the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico.

“Bruce Arena has played an integral role in the growth and success of the LA Galaxy,” said Galaxy President Chris Klein. “His hard work and commitment to our club has helped the Galaxy become the premier team in MLS. Under Bruce, the club has won championships, developed talent and grown as a brand.”

The 62-year-old has a career regular season record of 159-97-54 in MLS and a postseason mark of 27-9-4, including a 9-4-2 postseason record with the Galaxy. His 159 career regular season wins are the second most in MLS history, while his 27 postseason wins are the most in league history, four more than Seattle’s Sigi Schmid. Arena’s four MLS Cup championships are two more than any other coach in MLS history and he is one of just two coaches currently in MLS, along with Schmid, to win both MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup.

Season tickets for the 2014 MLS season are on sale now, starting at just $250. Becoming a Galaxy Season Ticket Member gives fans the opportunity to see every Galaxy home game as well as number of additional benefits such as access to Town Hall meetings with Galaxy leaders, discounts on additional single game tickets, entrance into the club’s new Season Ticket Member loyalty program and much more as well as discounts at all TEAM LA locations and on select camps at the Galaxy Soccer Center in Torrance. For more information about becoming a Galaxy Season Ticket Member, please call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) or visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets.